Yesterday Miss Darcy found a quiz in one of those trendy women’s magazines. It was designed to help you discover if your marriage could endure the stresses of retirement. If you answered any questions wrong, your marriage was as solid as a termite infested outhouse.

Question: If you only have one car, do you share it equally?

My condition for Bill’s retirement was two cars. I’ve known too many couples who divorced over the car issue. Men retire. Women never do. They still have the same need for the car for all their important errands.

Bill drives to the golf course, to the grocery store and to Home Depot. Although a mature, bright adult, once behind the wheel, he loses all sense of time. “I’ll be back in twenty minutes. I’m just going to pick up a lug wrench.” He could be gone for days, while I waited for that car.

In any hardware store, a man can spend six hours in the nuts and bolts aisle, drooling over the endless sizes, not to mention the section of toggle bolts. Did you ever see anyone toggle?

Question: Do you wish you could go somewhere without him?

Of course I do. Being together is great but give me a break. Every day? When the kids were little, I never went anywhere without one or both clinging to a leg or some other appendage. In those days when I had a really bad day and wanted to be alone, I usually ended up at Walgreens.

By the time I got everyone settled for the night, that was the only place open, except bars. Since Bill retired, I found a 24 hour Walgreens, for my alone time. I usually go after dinner when he’s cranked into the “lights out” position on the recliner.

I never buy much. I just roam the aisles and talk to myself until the clerks begin to give me funny looks. Then I go quietly home.

Question: Do you discuss interesting subjects at dinner?

During JEOPARDY? Lets face it, not much has happened since breakfast unless the house has been broken into or a storm surge has wiped out the neighborhood.

The TV keeps us from staring mindlessly at the mashed potatoes. We try to save what counts for conversation for those nights out when we’re alone in a restaurant that doesn’t have waiters in paper hats.

That’s the time when we pretend we’re dating again and the subject of children, grandchildren and the state of the economy is off limits so we can happily digest the meal.

Question: Do you ever feel your home is a jail?

No. In jail, you don’t have to cook.

Question: Are you always cheerful at bedtime?

Generally. But the nights I’m not, Bill has made some unfortunate comment like, “I think I’ll turn in. I’ve really had a tough day.” or “Have you gained weight this week?” This leads to one of those arguments that involve a general breakdown of reasonable thinking.

Since I always liked his mother, I steer clear of questioning his ancestry and just bring up all the things he’s forgotten to do since we’ve been married.

Question: Do you avoid telling him bad news?

Are you nuts? Why rush to tell him I scraped the side of the car when the chances are good he’ll never look at the passenger side? Why ruin his day by telling him I maxed out the credit card on a dynamite sale at the Pottery Barn? All in good time.

Question: Do you ever look at your spouse and wonder why you married him?

Daily. Even after all these years, it’s a sheer wonderment to me. How could I have been so smart to choose someone like Bill to spend my golden years with? I guess I was just lucky he asked.

Do questions in magazines make you laugh? Do you look at your relationships and wonder why it’s worked out so well? Leave a comment below.

Miss Darcy loves to hear from you! Although her correspondence is extensive, she always has time for faithful readers. She answers all inquiries as etiquette requires! Three fastest ways to reach her?

PS: There is much to be learned in the coming months as Miss Darcy sifts through the rumors and gossip. Surely you don’t want to be left in the dark!

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"This is Regency romance at its best. Karla Darcy’s books are simply magical. Her stories have everything I look for in this wonderful genre: wit, humor, intrigue, and tenderness. You’re in for a treat."